Originally published in 1928, The Social Insects: Their Origin and Evolution, by a world authority on the subject, sums up our knowledge of the social insects. It inquires what are the social insects and what it is that makes us call them 'social'. Terebrantia, aculeata, wasps, bees, ants, and termites are discussed in a succession of chapters, showing how they have evolved, to how great an extent they have developed, and what are the peculiarities of their evolution. Polymorphism, the Social Medium, Guests and Parasites of the Social Insects, are other subjects discussed in this fascinating book.
1. The Scope and Meaning of the Social Among the Insects
2. The Origin of the Terrebrantia and Aculeata
3. The Evolution of Wasps
4. The Evolution of Bees
5. The Evolution of Ants
6. The Evolution of Termites
7. Polymorphism
8. Polymorphism (continued)
9. The Social Medium and Trophalaxis
10. The Evolution of the Guests and Parasites of the Social Insects
11. The Evolution of the Social Parasites
12. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index